As the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast assess the devastating destruction of Hurricane Sandy, I hope that you are all safe and sound inside with your pets. The ASPCA is on the ground, ready to help animals trapped or in danger in the aftermath of the hurricane.
On Monday I visited the ASPCA's Adoption Center in New York City to ensure our staff had everything they needed to care for the animals in our shelter. Our dedicated staffers are sleeping in cots at the shelter to make sure the animals are safe.
To help animals throughout the region, the ASPCA is setting up water rescue teams and a distribution center with PetSmart Charities in Syracuse, New York, where our sheltering supplies will be housed to assist local groups with supplies such as crates, food, food bowls, leashes and toys.
We encourage local animal shelters and rescue groups to contact us for help if you have financial needs as a result of caring for animals impacted by the hurricane. Our grants officers are ready to review all applications on an expedited basis. More information about our emergency and disaster grants can be found at: www.aspcapro.org/emergency-and-disaster-response-grants.php.
Please be safe, and remember, if your home is no longer safe for you, it is not safe for your pets.